Penwortham Raises £500 For Parkinsons Uk
For many years, Hilary Wheale, who suffers with Parkinson’s, has fundraised for the charity by collecting donations outside her local supermarket, Booths. She would also make raffle prizes, help out at meetings and organising guest speakers. Hilary has been unable to do this so far this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
However, this hasn’t stopped her. A homeowner at the McCarthy Stone development, Hardwick Grange, on Cop Lane, Hilary appealed to McCarthy Stone to help the charity, which like many other charities around the country, has been struggling to raise the vital funds it needs for its continued operation.
McCarthy Stone, knowing the personal connection between Hilary and the charity, and how disappointed she was not to be able to fundraise in her usual way, kindly agreed to donate £500.
Hilary who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in December 2007, first moved to Hardwick Grange in August 2019, leaving her four bedroom bungalow for somewhere a little bit more manageable, and where she could benefit from living close to the town centre and all of its amenities.
She comments: “I suffer with Parkinson’s and so for me the charity is a real life-line. I can chat to people who are in a similar situation to me and who understand what I’m going through. It’s helped me to see that a diagnosis doesn’t mean the end, and there are so many good people there who donate their time and efforts to supporting one another. Moving to Hardwick Grange means I am able to live independently for as long as possible, but knowing support is on hand should I ever need it.”
The Preston branch of Parkinson’s UK offers information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson's, their families and carers. It also organises regular events and social activities. Due to Covid-19 much of its in-person activities have had to be suspended, something Hilary has been really missing.
David Brown, Chairman of the Preston branch of Parkinson’s UK comments: “We are so grateful to McCarthy Stone and to Hilary for the offer of help. Right now it’s incredibly important that as we’re asked to stay inside, those suffering with Parkinson’s continue to keep mobile, so funding weekly fitness and yoga classes is something we have been doing online. We’ve also introduced a dance class which has proved popular so we would like to be able to do more of this in future. We are now increasingly reliant on individual donations to allow our work to continue. This donation will help us to increase our digital services in Presto and continue the work of our local group at an increasingly difficult and uncertain time for us all.”
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. There are around 145,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK in 2020. With population growth and ageing, this is likely to increase by a fifth, to around 172,000 people in the UK, by 2030.
To get in touch with the Preston branch of Parkinson’s UK and for up to date information about its activities visit: localsupport.parkinsons.org.uk/provider/preston-branch
